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Officers were called to the property last month after the item was stolen from the woman's back garden between 7pm on Tuesday, April 14, and 8am on Wednesday, April 15.

Police said the elderly victim was 'very distressed' following the theft of her 'pride and joy'.

She has now penned the following letter to the guilt-ridden offender to persuade him to return the birdbath.

She wrote: 'I loved watching the antics of the birds in my bird bath and the birds are missing it too. Yesterday a pair of collared doves who are daily visitors just sat on the fence facing the empty spot for over an hour.

'I can understand that this man's appreciation of his mother makes him feel it is so important to give her a birthday present.

'What he doesn't understand is the shock and deep disappointment she would feel if she knew that he has become a thief in his desire to please her.

'Her love for him will be strong enough that she will forgive him but her disappointment in his action will never be forgotten.

The bird bath was stolen from a property in Hawkshead Court, Newcastle (pictured) last month

'If only he had admitted his helplessness to his mother, she of all people would understand and she and he and myself would all be happier people today.

'Lack of communication is the cause of so much unhappiness and it is so easily avoidable.

'I will have problems finding a replacement to match up with the existing situation since the missing bird bath was bought twenty-five years ago by my husband who is now deceased.

'We were married for fifty-three years. A new bird bath won't ever replace it.'

PC Christopher Dorman has urged the person responsible to get in touch. He said: 'It is clear that the offender feels guilty about his actions and I would urge him to come forward and contact police so we can reunite the bird bath with its owner.

'Similarly, if you have recently received a birthday present that matches the description of the bird bath taken from this vulnerable victim's garden then please get in touch.'

The birdbath is described as 3ft tall stone in a 'Pompeii ash' colour and has a wide basin at the top with a bulbus stem. There is also an acanthus leaf pattern up the stem.

Anyone who may have been in the area at the time or have information to help is asked to contact police on 101.